Major financial firms were behind the largest increases in new CFP professionals in 2024, the CFP Board reports.
The professional organization says in a news release that it added 6,541 new CFP certificants last year, with Edward Jones accounting for more than 1,000 of those. Almost 5,000 Edward Jones financial advisors and credentialed home office employees hold the CFP designation. Edward Jones, Fidelity and Northwestern Mutual have added at least 250 CFP certificants in each of the past two years.
Ameriprise, Merrill Wealth Management and LPL Financial also have more than 4,000 CFP certificants, the CFP Board notes.
“As the standard in financial planning, CFP certification represents knowledge, competence and a commitment to ethical practices,” says CFP Board CEO Kevin R. Keller, CAE. “For consumers, it signals that they are working with an advisor who has met rigorous standards. And for employers, CFP professionals bring unmatched expertise and credibility, elevating the quality of financial advice.”
Six firms added at least 200 new CFP professionals in 2024:
“I am so proud of our colleagues at Edward Jones for earning their CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation in such record numbers,” said Penny Pennington, Managing Partner, Edward Jones. “It reflects the investment our colleagues make in themselves, building their professional acumen in service of our firm’s purpose: to improve the lives of our clients, colleagues and communities. This milestone also underscores the investment we make as a firm in professional development, building an environment where the best professionals in our industry can create thriving careers of significance with flexibility, autonomy and choice. Together, we help more families build financial well-being and achieve even more possibilities in their lives.”
The 2024 class was the CFP Board’s most diverse. It trended younger — with 57% of new certificants under age 35 — and the number of women CFP professionals increased 4.5%. Thye board reports that racially and ethnically diverse CFP professionals surpassed 10,000 for the first time, a growth rate of 8.8% — twice the overall growth rate of all CFP professionals.
